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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different

Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression using Fourier Series
Technique
Mohammed Hadi Ali
Assistance Professor University of Mustansiriyah

ABSTRACT:- This paper presents a method to convert the Meteorological tabulated data into an
analytical expression in which it can be used in engineering application.
The paper uses a Fourier series technique to convert the solar radiation variation during the day for clear
days and for a beclouded intermittent days to predict an analytical expression for solar radiation at any time
of that day by finding the weights for both (an & bn) parameters for Fourier series upto (n =10).
It is found an encouraged result that will help the researchers to use Fourier series to convert any tabulated
data into an analytical expression which gives a useful indication for using such method in solar
applications.
The results which are drawn in the plots for (n upto 10) showing the accuracy in coincidence of this series
increases for the given function as the (n terms) increases from (n = 0 to n =10), for more precision the
weights for both (an & bn) parameters (n more than 10) should be found.

I.

INTRODUCTION

The sun is probably the most important source of renewable energy available today. Solar energy is the
energy force that sustains life on Earth for all plants, animals, and people. It provides a compelling solution for
all societies to meet their needs for clean, abundant sources of energy in the future [1].
Solar radiation as it passes through the earth's atmosphere undergoes to many factors such as
absorption, scattering and reflection by air molecules, water vapor and clouds. The direct solar beam that is
arriving directly to the earths surface is considered as direct solar radiation. The total amount of solar radiation
received and falling on a horizontal surface (which is the summation of the direct solar beam plus diffuse solar
radiation on a horizontal surface) is called global solar radiation.
Solar radiation, incident to the earth's surface, is a result of complex interactions of energy between the
atmosphere and surface [2].
Accurate measurement devices for solar energy are not available. Devices like Pyranometers are
capable of measuring solar intensity but, they fail to draw the exact picture of the incident energy. There are
hundreds of meteorological stations distributed around the world directly or indirectly measuring solar radiation.
These stations work to derive spatial databases from these measurements with different interpolation techniques
are used to get the required accurate information or estimation. Other techniques of generating spatial databases
are solar radiation models integrated within geographical information systems (GIS) [3].
In addition, solar energy systems require collecting these records of solar radiation and other
meteorological data like wind speed, temperature, humidity ratio and cloud which covers the sky. The
constructed hourly data base where tabulated and arranged in Handbook which are available in computer
compatible form [4].
These tabulated data base is needed from time to time to applied in engineering works, so it is
necessary to construct an analytical expression to be defined instead of a table of value. Various methods have
been derived to do this work; the simplest one which is the most obvious in evaluating of the integrals in the
Euler formulas is done by using the (Trapezoidal Rule). But since for the occasional application that is
confronting the most researchers and those who are dealing and handling with numerical functions regularly, the
Fourier expansion is quite satisfactory for such application and it will be discussed in this paper.
Because so many problems in harmonic analysis involve functions, such as meteorological or
economic quantities, whose period is either a day or a year, it is customary to assume that data are available at
interval of (1/12, 1/24, or sometime 1/48 of a period [5].

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression

II.

THE RESEARCH GOAL

The goal of this research is to carry out a study to change the tabulated data base for solar radiation
intensity into a developed analytical expression or formula that can be used in any engineering applications
required in solar energy systems or in any meteorological data base such as temperature, wind speed and any
parameters that take place regularly and in harmonic way.

III.

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

Fourier series is that method used to approximate functions with sums of sine and cosine functions. It is
capable and well suited to analyze periodic and discontinuous functions, such as communication signals and
alternative current, for solving heat transfer applications, and for many other problems in engineering [6].

2
=
+ 1 cos
+ 2 cos
+ + cos
+ 1 sin
+ 2 sin
+
2

+ sin
( 1 )

We shall consider a function [ f (t) ] of a period (2p) for which values are available at intervals of (1/24):
2

=
=
24
12
Referring to [ figure ( 1 ) ] any function [ f (t) ] can be expressed as the sum of an even functions and an odd
functions, simply by writing:

Figure ( 1 ): the schematic drawing showing [ f ( t ) and f ( - t ) ].

=

+

+
= +
2
2

( 2 )

Where:
+

3
=
( 4 )
2
2
Since [ g (t) ] is clearly even and [ h (t) ] is clearly odd, hence the cosine terms in the expansion of [ f (t) ] are
just the terms in the half range cosine expression of [ g (t) ], and the sine terms in the expansion of [ f (t) ] in the
half range sine expansion of [ h (t) ].
For the even function [ g (t) ], we have as usual:
2

=
. cos
. ( 5 )
0

By applying the expression of trapezoidal rule, with [ t = p /12 ], it is easily can obtain that:
2

11 12
12
=
cos
0 + 1 . cos
. + + 11 . cos
.
+
. cos
.
12 2

12
12
2
12
1

11
12
=
+ 1 . cos
. + + 11 . cos
+
. cos
6
2
12
12
2

11
11
12
=
+
. cos
.+ +
. cos
+
. cos
( 6 )
12
6
6
6
12
12
=

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression
But we have:
=

0 + 0
2 (0)
=
= (0)
2
2
1 + 1
1 =
2
2 + 2
2 =
2
11 + 11
11 =
2
12 + 12
12 =
2

Thus:
0
1 + 1

11 + 11
11
+
. cos
+ +
. cos
12
12
12
12
12
12 + 12
+
. cos
24

11
= 0.08333 0 + 0.08333 1 + (1) . cos
+ . . + 0.08333 11 + (11) . cos
12
12
+ 0.04167 12 + 12 . cos
( 7 )
The cosine factors in the last expression can be evaluated once and for all and combined with the other
numerical factors, including the [ 1/2 ] in the definition of [ g (t) ] to yield a set of weights by which the
successive values of the sum [ f (t) + f (-t) ] are to be multiplied before they are added. In this way, weights of
[ao (n = 0) & a1 (n = 1)] for example take the form of:
0
= 0.08333 0 + 0.08333 1 + 1 . cos
+
12
11 0
+ 0.08333 11 + 11 . cos
+ 0.04167 1 + 1 . cos 0
12
= 0.08333 0 + 0.08333 1 + 1 + + 0.08333 11 + 11 + 0.04167[ 1
+ 1 ]
1 = 0.08333 0 + 0.08049 1 + 1 + 0.08049 11 + 11 0.04167[ 1
+ 1 ]
In similar manner, the other of (a's) weights can be calculated. Table (1) shows the weights involved in
computation of the first ten of [ a's ].
=

Table ( 1 ): The weights for the first ten of ( an ). [5]

Weight for determination of ( an )

Terms
ft + f-t

n=0

n=1

n=2

n=3

n=4

n=5

n=6

n=7

n=8

n=9

n = 10

go = fo

0.0833
3
0.0833
3

0.0833
3
0.0804
9

0.0833
3
0.0721
7

0.08333

0.0833
3
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0215
7

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

f2 + f-2

0.0833
3

0.0721
7

0.0416
7

0.00000

0.0589
3

0.0000
0

0.05893

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

0.0833
3
0.0721
7
0.0416
7

0.0833
3

0.0589
3

0.0000
0

f4 + f-4

0.0833
3

0.0416
7

0.08333

0.0833
3

0.0416
7

f5 + f-5

0.0833
3

0.0215
7

0.05893

0.0804
9

0.0000
0

0.0416
7
0.0721
7

0.0833

0.0000

0.00000

0.0833

0.0000

0.0804
9
0.0000

0.0416
7
0.0416
7
0.0833

0.0833
3
0.0589
3

f6 + f-6

0.0416
7
0.0721
7
-

0.0721
7
0.0589
3
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0416
7
0.0416
7
0.0833
3

0.0833
3
0.0589
3
0.0000
0

f3 + f-3

0.0416
7
0.0833
3
0.0416
7
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0215
7
0.0721
7
0.0589
3

0.0000

f1 + f-1

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression
3
f7 + f-7

0.0833
3

0.0833
3
0.0721
7
0.0416
7
0.0000
0

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

0.0833
3
0.0721
7

0.05893 0.0416
0.0804
0.0215
7 0.0804
9 0.0416 0.0589
7
9
7
3
0.0833
0.08333
- 0.0833
- 0.0833
f8 + f-8
3 0.0416
0.0416 0.0416
3 0.0416 0.0416
3 0.0416
7
7
7
7
7
7
0.0833
0.05893
- 0.0589 0.0000
- 0.0833
- 0.0000
f9 + f-9
3 0.0589
0.0833
3
0 0.0589
3 0.0589
0
3
3
3
3
0.0833
- 0.0416 0.00000
- 0.0721
- 0.0721
- 0.0000 0.0416
f10 + f-10
3 0.0721
7
0.0416
7 0.0833
7 0.0416
0
7
7
7
3
7
0.0833
- 0.0721
- 0.0416
- 0.0000 0.0215
- 0.0589
f11 + f-11
3 0.0804
7 0.05893
7 0.0215
0
7 0.0416
3 0.0721
9
7
7
7
0.0416
- 0.0416
- 0.0416
- 0.0416
- 0.0416
- 0.0416
f12 + f-12
7 0.0416
7 0.04167
7 0.0416
7 0.0416
7 0.0416
7
7
7
7
7
Similarly, for [ h (t) ], it can easily obtain that:
2

=
. sin
.
0

11 12
12
=
sin
0 + 1 . sin
. + + 11 . sin
.
+
. sin
.
12 2

12
12
2
12
1

11
=
1 . sin
+ 2 . sin
+ 11 . sin
6
12
6
12
1
2

11
11
=
. sin
+ . sin
+
. sin
( 8 )
6
12
6
6
6
12
1 1
1 =
2
11 11
12 12
11 =

12 =
=0
2
2
1 1

2 2

11 11
11
=
. sin
+
. sin
+
. sin
12
12
12
6
12
12

= 0.08333 1 1 . sin
+ 0.08333 2 2 . sin

12
6
11
+ 0.08333 11 11 . sin
( 9 )
12
In similar way for [ (n = 0), bo will equal zero ] since [ sin ( 0 ) = 0 ], and the weight of ( b1 ) for example takes
the form of:
1
2
1 = 0.08333 1 1 . sin
+ 0.08333 2 2 . sin
+
12
6
11 1
+ 0.08333 11 11 . sin
12
1 = 0.02157 1 1 + 0.04167 2 2 + + 0.02157 11 11
The weights involved in computation of the first ten of [ b's ] required for the evaluation of this expression are
given in table (2).

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression
Table ( 2 ): The weights for the first ten of ( b n ). [5]
Weight for determination of ( bn )

Terms
ft + f-t

n=1

n=2

n=3

n=4

n =5

n=6

n=7

n=8

n =9

n = 10

f1 - f-1

0.0215
7
0.0416
7

0.0416
7
0.0721
7

0.0589
3
0.0833
3

0.0721
7
0.0721
7

0.0804
9
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

f3 - f-3

0.0589
3

0.0833
3

0.0589
3

0.0000
0

0.0589
3
0.0833
3
0.0589
3

0.0416
7
0.0721
7
0.0833
3

0.0721
7

0.0721
7

0.0000
0

0.0721
7

0.0000
0

f5 - f-5

0.0804
9

0.0416
7

0.0833
3

0.0216
7

0.0833
3

0.0000
0

0.0833
3

0.0000
0

0.0589
3
0.0833
3

f7 - f-7

0.0804
9

0.0721
7

0.0215
7

0.0721
7

0.0721
7

0.0589
3
0.0000
0

0.0416
7
0.0721
7

f9 - f-9

0.0589
3

0.0589
3

f10 - f-10

0.0416
7

0.0721
7
0.0589
3
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

0.0721
7

f8 - f-8

0.0833
3
0.0721
7

f11 - f-11

0.0215
7

0.0416
7
0.0721
7
0.0833
3
0.0721
7
0.0416
7

0.0833
3
0.0216
7

0.0721
7
0.0000
0

0.0721
7
0.0416
7

f6 - f-6

0.0589
3
0.0833
3
0.0589
3
0.0000
0

0.0721
7
0.0721
7
0.0000
0

0.0833
3
0.0000
0

0.0721
7
0.0721
7
0.0000
0

f4 - f-4

0.0589
3
0.0721
7
0.0215
7

0.0804
9
0.0416
7
0.0589
3
0.0721
7

f2 - f-2

IV.

0.0589
3

0.0000
0

0.0833
3

0.0721
7
0.0721
7

0.0589
3

0.0894
9

0.0833
3
0.0000
0
0.0833
3

0.0721
7
0.0589
3
0.0416
7
0.0804
9

0.0721
7
0.0000
0
0.0721
7

0.0000
0

0.0833
3
0.0589
3

0.0721
7

0.0416
7

THEORETICAL APPLICATION

In this paragraph, and in order to give an example to how apply the Fourier series to serve this method
a sample of theoretical calculation will put into practice to find the way to convert the tabulated data for solar
radiation intensity or any other meteorological data into an analytical expression, to do that we should go back
for any tabulated data for solar radiation intensity.
We will choose any arbitrary data for clear sky day and the other for partially cloudy day. From the
Meteorology Database for Baghdad City (2000), the solar radiation intensity of clear sky day for (21st of
December) can be tabulated in the following table (3):

Table ( 3 ): The Solar Radiation for 21st of December [7].

Time (hour)
6
7
8
9
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Solar Radiation Intensity ( W/m2)
0
3
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
3
0
0
4
5
5
0
7
9
5
7
5
4
3
5
6
4
1
7
2
3

1
9

2
0

2
1

2
2

2
3

2
4

The tabulated solar intensity was drawn as shown in [figure (2)], in which [ f (t) & f (- t) ] are
explained, so the functions [f (t) & f (- t)] can be calculated easily and tabulated in table (4):
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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression

Figure ( 2 ): the solar radiation intensity for (21st of Dec.) showing [ f ( t ) and f ( - t ) ].

f (-12)

f(-11)

f(-10)

f(-9)

391

357

272

153

Table ( 4 ): The values of [ f (t) & f(-t) ].

f(-8)
f(-7)
f(-6)
f(-5)
f(-4)
34

f(-3)

f(-2)

f(-1)

f(0)

f(1)

f(2)

f(3)

f(4)

f(5)

f(6)

f(7)

f(8)

f(9)

f(10)

f(11)

f(12)

34

153

255

306

374

391

The values of ( an and bn ) now can be found by utilizing table (4) in conjugation with equations ( 7 & 9 ), the (
an and bn ):

11
= 0.08333 0 + 0.08333 0 + 0 . cos
+ . . . + 0.08333 374 + 357 . cos
12
12
+ 0.04167 391 + 391 . cos

= 0.08333 1 1 . sin
+ 0.08333 2 2 . sin

12
6
11
+ 0.08333 11 11 . sin
12
For ( n = 0 ), [ ao ] was found to be equal to ( 194.08 ) and for ( n = 1 ), [ a1 ] was found to be equal to ( - 165.71
).
For ( n = 0 ), [ bo ] was found to be equal to ( 0 ) since [sin (0) = 0], and for ( n = 1 ), [ b1 ] was found to be
equal to (19.12).
For other values of ( an & bn ) involved for the calculation for the first ten of them (upto n = 10), they were
tabulated and shown in table ( 5 ):
Table ( 5 ): The values of first ten of [an & bn].
Values of ( an )
n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4
n=5
n=6
n=7
n=8
n=9
n = 10
n=0
-165.7
99.18
-34.03
-1.41
6.88
0.00
-4.20
2.83
0.03
-1.42
194.08
Values of ( bn )
n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4
n=5
n=6
n=7
n=8
n=9
n = 10
n=0
19.12
-21.67
7.84
7.36
-10.93
4.25
3.27
-4.91
2.18
0.42
0
Substituting the values the first six of [an and bn] into equation (1), it yields to an analytical expression for the
solar radiation [ f (t) ] at any required time:

2
6

= 97.04 1 165.7 cos

+ 99.18 cos
+ 0 cos
+ 19.12 sin
12
12
12
12
2
6
21.67 sin
+ + 4.25 sin
12
12
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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression
To obtain for example the value for solar radiation [ f (11)] at time ( t = 11 hour), it can be done simply by
substituting for ( t = 11) in this equation to get its value, which is:
11
2 11
5 11
11
11 = 97.04 1 165.7 cos
+ 99.18 cos
+ + 6.88 cos
+ 19.12 sin
12
12
12
12
2 11
6 11
21.67 sin
+ + 4.25 sin
12
12

11 = 346.5 2

Comparing the actual tabulated value for the solar radiation at ( t = 11 hour ) which is (374 W/m2) with the
value obtained from the analytical expression 346.5 W/m2), the values are too close for each other.

V.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this paragraph, the analysis for this research shows the possibility to predict the solar radiation
intensity in analytical expression rather than in tabulated data. The analysis can be carried out by choosing the
solar radiation for a dedicated day which want to convert into analytical expression from a Meteorological
database and performing the procedure of Fourier series technique to obtain the analytical expression for that
day.
For a clear shining day of ( 21st of December ), the Meteorological database was shown in table (no. 1).
Performing the Fourier series procedures that was explained in theoretical application paragraph upto ( n = 6 ), it
shows a good precision coincidence between the tabulated database and the analytical expression.
Figure (3) shows the solar radiation intensity for (21st of December) in its analytical expression and
Meteorological database for (n = 4), the figure shows the coincidence between them for time period of ( t = 6 to
t = 15 ) is too close, but it is not for the rest of time periods.
Figure (4) shows the solar radiation intensity for the same day but for other values of (n) for (n = 2 and
n = 6), it is clear from the figure that as ( n ) increases the coincidence precision increases to obtain a good
fitness between the values for both of them.

Solar Intensity (W/m2)

450
350
250

Meteorological
data

150
50
-50 0

12
Time (hour)

18

24

Solar Intensity (W/m2)

Figure ( 3 ): the Meteorological data for solar radiation intensity for (21 st of Dec.) and the analytical
expression for ( n = 4 ).
450
350
Meteorologica
l data
Fourier (n = 6)

250
150
50
-50 0

12
Time (hour)

18

24

Figure ( 4 ): the Meteorological data for solar radiation intensity for (21 st of Dec.) and the analytical
expression for ( n = 2 & n =6 ).

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression
For other day which is not clear or shiny day, and it could be cloudy and sun shining beclouds
intermittently, it can also using Fourier series to get and analytical expression for that day.
For instance, the Meteorological data for the solar radiation intensity for (27 th of Feb.) which is tabulated in
table (6) can be used to find an analytical expression for this day.
Table ( 6 ): The Solar Radiation for 21st of December [7].
Time (hour)
0

1
8

5
3

1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Solar Radiation Intensity ( W/m2)
1
2
1
1
1
1
7
7
4
5
9
0
2
0
5
5
8
3
5
2

1
6

1
7

1
8

1
9

2
0

2
1

2
2

2
3

2
4

1
2
2

1
8

1
8

It is clear that it is beclouded day, and the sun is shining intermittently, so by using the Fourier series
an analytical expression can be found and used in any engineering application.
Figure (5) shows the solar radiation intensity for (27 th of February) in its analytical expression and
Meteorological database for (n = 8).
250

Solar Intensity (W/m2)

200

150
Meteorological data
100
Fourier (n = 8)
50

-50

12

18

24

Time (hour)

Figure ( 5): the Meteorological data for solar radiation intensity for (27th of Feb.) and the analytical
expression for ( n = 8 ).
This figure shows the coincidence between them for time period of ( t = 6 to t = 18 ) isn't too close, and
the coincidence doesn't gives a precise fitting between them.
Figure (6) shows the solar radiation intensity for the same day but for other values of (n) for (n = 6 and
n = 10), it is clear from the figure that the plot for (n = 10) is more precision than the plot for (n = 6).
As a conclusion it is obvious that as ( n ) increases the coincidence precision increases to obtain a good fitness
between the values for both the tabulated values and the analytical expression.

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Converting Daily Solar Radiation Tabulated Data with Different Sky Conditions into Analytical Expression

250

Solar Intensity (W/m2)

200
Meteorological
data
Fourier (n = 6)

150
100

Fourier (n =
10)

50
0
0

-50

12

18

24

Time (hour)

Figure ( 6 ): the Meteorological data for solar radiation intensity for (27 th of Feb.) and the analytical
expression for ( n = 6 & n = 10 ).
The plots showing the accuracy with which the (n terms) of this series increase for the given function
and they are almost indistinguishable from the graph of f(t).

REFERENCES
[1].
[2].

[3].
[4].

[5].
[6].
[7].

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Jaroslav Hofierka, Marcel .ri, 2002 "The solar radiation model for open source GIS: Implementation and
applications", Proceedings of the Open source GIS GRASS users conference 2002 Trento, Italy, 11-13 Sep.,
2002.
K. K. Abdul Salam, Jidhin Jayan, R. Syamkumar, "Solar Intensity Data Log", International Journal of Advanced
Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Vol. 2, Issue 3, March 2013.
Graham L. Morrison and Alex Litvak, 1999 " Condensed Solar Radiation Data Base for Australia", Report No
1/1999 Solar Thermal Energy Laboratory University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
http://users.tpg.com.au/t_design/Trnaus/tmy99.pdf
C. R. Wylie, JR., 1966, "Advanced Engineering Mathematics", 3 rd Edition, McGraw Hill Book Company, New
York, 1966.
George Thomas, Maurice Weir, Joel Hass, Frank Giordano, " Thomas' Calculus", 11th Edition, Nov 2004, UK.
The Meteorological database for Baghdad city (2000).

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| Vol. 5 | Iss. 8 | August 2015 | 58 |